Boris Johnson called XR ‘left-wing anarchists’ – but the environment isn’t about politics, it’s about survival

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At Wednesday’s PMQs, Boris Johnson dismissed the Extinction Rebellion protesters outside parliament as a bunch of “crusty left-wing anarchists”. It is abundantly clear that he is a single-issue PM, but he would do well to remember that he was elected to represent the whole population of the United Kingdom, not just Brexiteers.

I’m not a supporter of XR’s methods, but trying to save the planet doesn’t strike me as being a particularly anarchistic pursuit. Nor, for that matter, is it political: frankly, it doesn’t matter on which side of the house people choose to sit while the ice caps melt, the forests burn, weather becomes increasingly extreme, crops fail and species are driven to extinction – the environment isn’t about politics, it’s about survival. 

We need to act now to save our planet – vague words about future intentions are utterly worthless and environmental targets set at 2050 will be far, far too late.

It’s a shame Mr Johnson doesn’t put as much effort into actually being clever as he does into trying to sound clever.

Julian Self

Wolverton

Trump for peace prize?

Donald Trump has broken a four-decade-long streak of American presidents either starting a war or bringing the US into an international armed conflict. In addition, as his first term draws to a close, he has helped broker a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

As a result he has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a right-wing member of the Norwegian parliament who also serves as chairman of the Norwegian delegation to the Nato parliamentary assembly.  

He noted his “key role in facilitating contact between conflicting parties".

The UAE is the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. Trump has also created new dynamics in protracted conflicts such as the Kashmir border dispute between India and Pakistan and the ongoing tension between North and South Korea.

Rev Dr John Cameron

St Andrews, Scotland

Staggering behaviour

For our British government to deliberately “break international law”, as the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis stated in parliament on Tuesday, as part of a negotiation ploy is staggering.

I have been awaiting a resignation from at least one of his ministers, but so far we have had but a very senior civil servant. Amazing, yet the Conservatives call themselves the “law and order” party. But they are better described as the Con Party.

Peter Downey

Bath

Get it sorted

I can’t believe that this wretched government still hasn’t got to grips with an efficient test and trace system. They have had months to sort it out. Meanwhile we are all having to carry out our daily lives within the shambles they have created. The effect it is having and will have on family lives is devastating. For all our sakes and our lives, get it sorted!

Suzie Taylor

Gloucestershire

Lost reputation

In Andrew Woodcock's article Lord Heseltine states that Boris Johnson's shabby exploits with the withdrawal agreement, and now the new bill on the block, will not stand a chance in gaining approval in the House of Lords.

Hurrah for that. At least some Tory aristocracy haven't lost their moral compass. When Brandon Lewis announced this “limited” breach – as if this type of interference with an agreed and approved international law was an everyday occurrence – there was a universal gasp. Not least from Theresa May who cut the air with the knife of her icy syllables.

Seemingly, the withdrawal agreement was done too quickly and now our prime minister does not like what he has signed up too. Tough! You cannot play fast and loose with international law and expect to get away with it.  

Now the EU and the wider community, including America, are very concerned about this shoddy trajectory, as it does indeed ride roughshod over our honour and credibility. A lost reputation is just that, even now in this fast paced world where a decision made yesterday is forgotten the next. Boris Johnson and his grovelling cabinet ministers will find that out to their cost.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Man on the moon

All summer we’ve been assured the UK is bringing in a "world-beating test and trace system" for Covid-19. Now Boris Johnson sets out his master plan for mass testing by next spring. He calls it his “moonshot” plan.  

So at last we know which "world" he was talking about in his "world-beating system".  

Sasha Simic

London